Holidays and fishing

Fishing is difficult in Lake Garda. The water is very clear, so it offers good visibility both down and across. It is quite possible, for example, to watch fish swimming about in the ports. Here the angler tends to spot chub which are present in great numbers and considerable sizes. But almost any fish from A-Z can be found in Lake Garda. There is a good stock of predatory fish, though you will probably have to resort to a boat to catch one. Drag fishing is the order of the day. In the ports you will see the occasional angler with a fixed line throwing bread to the chub, but spinning fishing for predatory fish and salmonids has become more common.

In the north the lakeside immediately plunges downwards and reaches depths of around 100 metres not far from the shore. The ground is made up of rough pebbles. In the south the lake is flatter and features wide belts of reed along the banks. The ground here is sandier. This is more the place to catch carp, tench as well as other whitefish together with pike and perch – not to forget, of course, the famous Lake Garda trout known as carpione. This rare fish is only found in Lake Garda and every angler at the lake is keen to land it on his hook.

What’s more, the many smaller lakes and streams surrounding Lake Garda also offer marvellous opportunities for fishing.

Important information for an unspoiled fishing holiday:

• To go fishing on Lake Garda you require a visitor’s fishing license which is available from the various municipal offices. To obtain the license you must first go to a tobacconist’s or a post office and purchase two revenue stamps which are then affixed to the document. The fishing licence is valid for all national waters in Italy and should be taken along with you at all times.
• Boat fishing is permitted on all boats registered for Lake Garda.
• Fish are particularly in abundance at the river inlets and outlets around Lake Garda.
• To go fishing in the streams or rivers you will need both a fishing licence as well as a so-called Italian state licence which you can obtain from the forestry commission office in Riva del Garda. Both documents are required in order for you to get the necessary all-day tickets or permits.
• To go fishing at the smaller lakes around Lake Garda you require a fishing licence and one-day permits.
• Sport fishing at Lago Bagatol is also permitted without a fishing licence.